David Montgomery DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

After Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) consulted with medical experts the last few days, sources are optimistic that he avoided a season-ending injury. Montgomery will rehab his MCL injury with the hope that he can return at some point in the playoffs. The 27-year-old will still miss the last three games of the regular season and is no further use to fantasy managers in redraft leagues that are still battling for a championship. The Lions will hold out hope that Monty can recover quickly and join them in the postseason, although there are no guarantees. If Detroit can secure the top seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, it would give Montgomery an extra week of recovery. In the meantime, Jahmyr Gibbs should see all the touches he can handle for the Lions the last three weeks of the regular season, with Craig Reynolds being sprinkled in. Gibbs is a must-start, high-end RB1 going forward.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) is seeking a third opinion on his injured knee, which is why the Lions have yet to place him on Injured Reserve, according to head coach Dan Campbell. It was reported earlier this week that Montgomery will have season-ending surgery to fix an MCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the Lions are doing their due diligence on Monty's injury. More likely than not, fantasy managers will be without the 27-year-old for the last two weeks of the season. Montgomery's injury sets up Jahmyr Gibbs to eat for fantasy managers when it matters most, with Craig Reynolds and rookie Sione Vaki providing depth as backups the rest of the way. Montgomery will finish his 2024 season with 185 carries for 775 yards (4.2 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns while adding 36 catches for 341 yards through the air.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has confirmed that running back David Montgomery (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery on his knee. The 27-year-old tore his MCL in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Buffalo Bills. "We're going to miss him," Campbell told reporters. Oof. Detroit has been marred by injuries this season, and they continue to accrue on both sides of the ball as defensive back Carlton Davis III (jaw) and defensive lineman Alim McNeill (knee) also picked up long-term injuries in Week 15. With Montgomery out, fellow running back Jahmyr Gibbs projects to shoulder most of the backfield touches. Additionally, at least one of his backfield mates Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki, will see an elevated snap share moving forward. The Lions will line up against the Chicago Bears on the road in Week 16.

Updating a previous report, Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) suffered a torn MCL in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and could miss the rest of the season, including the playoffs, according to sources. Montgomery is undergoing further testing on Monday and will also receive a second opinion to confirm the injury, but the Lions and fantasy managers are looking at not having Monty the rest of the way. At least in fantasy leagues, which typically end with the championship in Week 17, Montgomery won't be available for the rest of the year. It makes sense now why the 27-year-old only had five carries for four yards in Sunday's loss to Buffalo, adding four catches for 31 yards. Jahmyr Gibbs should now see the lion's share of touches in Detroit's backfield moving forward, with Craig Reynolds spelling him when needed.

Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) injured his MCL in the Week 15 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and is now out indefinitely, according to sources. Montgomery is undergoing additional testing on Monday and will also get a second opinion, but he could be lost for the remainder of the season. It's a huge blow to the Lions and for fantasy managers that have advanced to their semifinal matchups. It remains to be seen if Monty will be available for the postseason, but this injury will most likely sideline him for at least the three remaining regular-season contests. It means that backfield mate Jahmyr Gibbs will now see as many touches as he can handle in Detroit's backfield, giving him even more fantasy upside in a high-octane offense. Meanwhile, Craig Reynolds will bump up to the No. 2 option in Detroit's backfield to help spell Gibbs.